Brain tumors are masses of cells that have grown abnormally and out of control within the brain tissue. When tumors form they can cause symptoms of headache, dizziness, movement disorders, numbness and tingling and other issues depending on the location of the tumor. According to the American Brain Tumor Association, tumors are usually classified as either primary tumors, which originate and tend to stay in the brain, or as secondary tumors which originate elsewhere in the body and metastasize to the brain. They are also usually classified as malignant or benign, depending on the aggressiveness of the tumor. Within these classifications there are many different types of tumors.
Acoustic Neuroma
According to Harvard Medical School, acoustic neuromas account for approximately 9 percent of all brain tumors. They usually affect middle-aged females more than males. An acoustic neuroma is a benign tumor that affects the eighth cranial nerve, which controls hearing and balance, leading to problems in both of these areas. Total surgical removal is usually possible with good outcomes expected.
Glioma
Glial cells help support and protect the neural brain cells. There are several different types of glial cells, and tumors that originate here are named after the type of cell in which they originate. Gliomas are tumors that originate in these different glial cells and are the most common type of brain tumor, responsible for about 42 percent of all brain tumors, according to the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Astrocytoma is a type of tumor that affects the star-like astrocytes, and can be slow growing and benign, or very aggressively malignant. Oligodendrogliomas affect myelin-creating cells within the brain. Treatment depends on the aggressiveness and location of the tumor.
Meningioma
Meningiomas are tumors that originate in the coverings of the brain, called meninges, and not in brain tissue itself. According to the University of Pittsburgh Neurological Surgery Department, meningiomas are very slow growing and often become quite large before causing symptoms. They are usually benign, but can interfere with brain function when they become a certain size. When the tumor presses on parts of the brain, it can cause symptoms of headache, weakness, dizziness, seizures, personality changes and visual problems.
Chordoma
According to the Harvard Medical School, a chordoma is a tumor that occurs at the base of his skull or on the sacral part of the spine and is usually benign; however, this tumor often attacks nearby bone as well. When the tumor occurs at the base of the skull, treatment usually involves surgery and radiation. Chordomas are extremely rare and represent .2 percent of all brain tumors, reports Harvard Medical School.
